Melbourne Victory Women came away with all three points in a thrilling 4-3 win over the Newcastle Jets.
Fielding an unchanged starting XI that beat out Canberra United in Round 18, Victory aimed to continue their dominant form at the Home of the Matildas.
It would start in almost perfect fashion for Jeff Hopkins’ side, opening the scoring within the first minute.
Rachel Lowe held up play up front and played through a storming Emily Gielnik down the right wing, who found the back of the net from a tight angle.
The chances would continue for Gielnik, who fired an effort just wide of the far post in the seventh minute.
Delivering a signature whipped corner delivery in the 11th minute, Alana Murphy found Emily Gielnik’s leaping header to perfection – scoring her brace on the night and her 12th goal of the season.
Victory were playing liquid football and enjoying great control of the game as the visitors fought their hardest to keep out the Navy Blues.
Alana Jancevski would add a third to Victory’s tally in the 22nd minute, firing a strike from long-range that bounced past the Jets’ goalkeeper for her fifth goal of the season.
Three goals to the good early into the action, Victory and particularly Emily Gielnik searched for more as they held the momentum in Bundoora.
Despite the territorial and possessional dominance, the Jets finished the half strong.
Lauren Allen headed home a goal back for the visitors in the 43rd minute, while an outrageous deflection off Sophie Hoban that snuck into the near post had the Jets trailing by just a goal entering the break.
It was certainly a shock for Victory after such a strong performance for the majority of the half, needing to recover for an important second 45 to come.
Chances came for Victory, with Nicki Flannery and Rachel Lowe unable to convert in quick succession just before the hour mark.
It was a more balanced half as Victory pushed to extend their lead on the game, while the Jets searched for an equaliser.
Holly Furphy entered the game in the 73rd minute after Alana Murphy hobbled off the field with an ankle injury.
With both teams fighting hard for a goal, it would eventually come in added time.
Slipped through on goal by Sophie Hoban, substitute Sheridan Gallagher fired her strike straight into the back of the net to equalise for the Jets.
Upon scoring, the Jets attempted to sit deep and absorb pressure as Victory were eager to reclaim the lead.
Earning a corner in the dying moments, Claudia Bunge managed to play a ball across to her centre-back partner, captain Kayla Morrison who sent the Victory supporters into raptures with a clutch winning goal.
The referee blew the full-time whistle after restarting play, concluding a truly remarkable game of football in Victory’s final game at the Home of the Matildas.
The win puts Victory just two points behind league-leaders Melbourne City, continuing to push for the Ninja A-League Premiership.
Victory Women return to action for an exciting Pride Cup double header against Adelaide United on Saturday, March 29.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Ninja A-League Round 20
Melbourne Victory 4 (Gielnik 1′, 11′, Jancevski 22′, Morrison 90+6′)
Newcastle Jets 3 (Allan 43′, Hoban 45′, Gallagher 90+2′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 50. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 8. Alana MURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 13. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Substitutes: 62. Geo CANDY (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 9. Holly FURPHY (73′)
Newcastle Jets Starting XI: 1. Danielle KRZYZANIAK (GK), 2. Josie WILSON, 3. Claudia CICCO, 4. Natasha PRIOR, 6. Cassidy DAVIS (C), 8. Emma DUNDAS, 10. Libby COPUS-BROWN, 11. Deven JACKSON, 13. Lauren ALLAN, 18. Sophie HOBAN, 22. Lorena BAUMANN
Substitutes: 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (GK), 7. India BREIER, 17. Sheridan GALLAGHER (83′), 32. Claire ADAMS (89′), 39. Alexis COLLINS
